Vietnam Yet Fully Taps MICE Tourism Potential

Vietnam owns big potentials in MICE tourism industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Events/Exhibitions). However, the great potentials have not been fully exploited yet.

 

According to travel firms, MICE tourism can bring turnover six-fold higher than other kinds of tourism as MICE delegations always consist of several hundred travelers who have big budgets and use many kinds of services.

 

In recent years, MICE organizers have seen Vietnam as an emerging destination. Travel firms and hotels in the country have reported a good number of guests.

 

In addition, the political uncertainty in the region has contributed to the fast development of MICE industry. Vietnam has emerged as a safe and friendly destination in the eyes of international tourists.

 

However, Vietnam is facing some problems in MICE tourism development.

 

According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), which has recently conducted a survey in HCM City in order to give advice on MICE tourism development, one of the biggest problems is that the country’s infrastructure is not ready enough to grab the big opportunities from MICE tourism.

The lack of big trade exhibition and conference centers, which have the capacity of several thousand people at least, and the shortage of database about the situation of MICE are also a matter of special concern.

 

Presently, all figures about MICE have been rough estimates, so it is impossible to make a plan for development of this industry.

 

The quality of services is also a big problem in attracting MICE tourists.

 

A recent survey on Vietnam’s tourism funded by the EC delegation in Vietnam shows that 44% of travelers are not satisfied with taxi drivers, vendors, tour organization services, the railway and souvenirs.

 

MICE tourism has been compared with the ‘gold mine’ for Vietnamese travel firms. The country should draw up a master plan on MICE tourism development in order to fully exploit the potentials of the market.

 

Recently, the number of MICE tourists to the country has risen steadily, with annual increase over 20% in 2006, said MICE club leaders.